Some Lawmakers Warn Against Afghanistan Escalation

Lawmakers opposed to President Barack Obama’s decision to send more troops to Afghanistan are not waiting for his speech tonight to voice their opposition.

In a press conference, Democrats from both chambers of Congress—as well as a Republican, Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina—warned that a major escalation would be a major mistake, because al Qaeda has largely moved to Pakistan and the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai is corrupt.

“The president said he wants to send in these additional troops to finish the job,” said Sen. Russell Feingold (D., Wis.). “I say, and I think the American people say, ‘What job?’ What’s the job that he’s talking about? That’s not at all clear.”

Rep. Jim McGovern (D., Mass.), was especially critical of Karzai. “President Karzai is corrupt and incompetent,” McGovern said. “He cheated in the last election. I don’t want any more American service men or women to risk their lives for this corrupt government…What I fear is that we’re getting sucked into a war without end.”…